Cousins

Just because they are cute..

Tubing Fun

Today Mara got to go to Snoqualmie with the Nino family for some inter tubing fun!!The kids had a blast and were completely exhausted when they got home..

XO VALENTINES XO

Yesterday morning the girls woke up to a Valentines surprise. They were so excited!! I tried to make it a bit more special this year since daddy wasn't home and they are seriously missing him! They got new balls, candy , bubbles and balloons!!





After that we attended Mara's basketball game where she scored 2 baskets.. Whoo Hoo!! Then off to lunch with the family.. All 3 of these girls just can't get enough of their Mammie.


After that it was home for the night. Justin's folks came over and made us a delicious seafood surprise. Mara really enjoyed the clams, muscles and scallops that was made. The evening was topped off with a Boston Cream Pie.. Yum






Thanks for a delicious supper!!

Xo Xo Xo

They Helped!

I think all those prayers helped (along with some serious antibiotics and a little surgery)but Papa(no toes) is doing much better. Still in the ICU but is awake, alert and playful. I had to snap some pics to capture this moment because on Thursday there wasn't much hope left. My family is hoping now for many more years of cooking, complaints and corniness from this old fart!!

YMCA

Mia and Gracelyn can't get enough of each other. They squeal every time they see each other, hug and remind each other that they are "Best Friends". Soooo Cute!!
I snuck some photos of them during playtime in the nursery and afterwards when we were exercising.

Say a little Prayer

Say a little prayer for my "Papa"... Yesterday he was admitted in to the ICU and is very ill. Hoping for the best!!! Not sure what we would do without him..

If you would like to help..

This was sent to us from some of our Texas friends. I mailed off our check yesterday. I know it is trying times for everybody but I can't even imagine being in their shoes. Read their story and if you feel like helping please see below.

Thanks..Marquelle

One of our fellow Air Force Family members is experiencing the most trying time of their lives, their 2 year old son Brandon Landsberry has liver cancer and is fighting for his life.

The Landsberry’s are currently stationed out of Tinker AFB in Oklahoma but are temporarily staying near Cincinnati Children’s Hospital as they are waiting for their sons life saving liver transplant. Brandon is very blessed to have them as parents; they are a great inspiration to Sam and I as they continue to show such strength through the most difficult of circumstances a parent could face.

Their insurance is covering most of their hospital expenses, but they now face additional out of pocket expenses in their plight to find the most experienced hospital for their son’s treatment. I certainly would have considered no less if it was one of my babies with Brandon’s diagnosis.

The Air Force Family is large and has always shown me how supporting and caring it can be. We are also so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family that have always come through for us time and time again. Let’s show the Landsberry’s our support!

I am selling bracelets that say “Praying for Brandon” for only $3.00. (S,M,L) Wherever you are located, whether near or far I will get it to you and send you my heartfelt thanks for your support! I am also collecting donations for The Brandon Chase Landsberry Foundation, so please let me know if you are fortunate enough to contribute to saving his life.

I know these are difficult economic times for all of us, but if you can help please join us in helping out Brandon by buying a bracelet or making a donation… but most importantly by offering your prayers.

See pictures and daily updates on Brendon’s fight at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brandonlansberry

You can also see a video of Brandon at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E5M4BR33Jk
Please make the check payable to: The Brandon Chase Lansberry Foundation

Bank address:
Tinker Federal Credit Union
P.O. Box 45750
Tinker AFB, OK 73145

or Azucena (Susie) Dixon
Cell: 619-820-3582

Texas

So I have been really missing Texas lately. I hated the town we lived in but the rest of Texas was fabulous. The friends I met there changed my life and I miss them so much. You all know who you are and the best part is I know how much yal miss it too!!

This mug was given to me from my dear friend Brooke when we were moving back home in a Texas care package. I drink my coffee out of it every morning and it reminds me of those good old days. When it is snowing here and I know that it is 85 there I just hold my mug tighter and smell the coffee.. My Texas magnet is right up on the fridge where it will always stay. It is big and loud and not normally something I would have on my fridge but I just don't care. I love it!

I don't now if Texas is in our future but if there was ever an opportunity we would go. Texas changed my life, changed me as a person, changed my marriage, changed my family and really taught me the meaning of true friendships. So here's a big Yee Haw to Texas.. Maybe we will meet again soon!!!

Pizza Date

Sunday night the girls and I had cabin fever so we decided to go out for a date. With Daddy being gone we have been a little bored, a little sad and so we decided that the best way to feel better would be to have Pizza(daddys favorite)!!! Gracelyn was smothering Mara and couldn't give her enough lovin. It was just precious :)
After pizza we decided to get ice cream sundaes!! Delicious..

I could not think of two better people I would like to have a date with. Thanks girls for such a great time.

Mad Scientists

Friday I got to go help in Mara's classroom for a science project. The kids had to make a prediction, observe their experiments and then write their observations. The goal was to see which way water would flow when you poured it on a pile of sand. Mara's prediction was correct.... The water flowed down :)

Hoarder

Thursday evening we decided to go to Target with my mom to pick out Valentines. Now Gracelyn can be a bit of a handful so I tend to try and go to these places without the kids. Apparently I need to get her out more because any and everything in her sights she was trying to throw in the cart. I had to take out my camera for this one because she was dumping bags of candy into the cart and trying to carry some in her hands to. My mom and I were hysterically laughing. As I always say.. "What a goofball".

Hot Shop

Thursday afternoon Mara's class got to have another field trip. This time it was to the Hot Shop at the Glass Museum. It was just an amazing experience. The kids got to go to the galleries first, then to the educational center to create artwork and the then to the hot shop. This by far was the highlight of my day!

It just so happened that we got to be there on the day when Lino Tagliapietra was in creating art. Now you are wondering who he is right?? This is the man who taugh Dale Chihuly how to create glass art. Dale Chihuly traveled to his hometown in Italy to work under him and learn everything there was to know. Lino is the most famous artist as far as glass goes in the world but you would never know it! Just another day in the shop was his demeanor when we viewed the hot shop. He was very hard at work but stopped a couple times to smile up at us and offer encouragement to the artists that were assisting him.

I was blown away at the entire experience and I hate to say it but I think you will find me sitting in the hot shop in the near future. It was way cool!!!!

Therapy

Thursday I snapped a few pictures of Gracelyn during her therapy session with Teacher Liz and Teacher Charmane at Birth to Three Developmental Center.

Here they are blowing the pin wheel..



Blowing Balls..

Making Music..

Chewing on a toy

and her most favorite...swinging!!


The blowing really helps Gracelyn were her sensory system to calm and soothe.. It's working well so far :)

Hoop it Up

It's basketball season again and Mara is playing for the Y. Once again she is the only girl and she is the tallest but that is fine, she is used to it!!
Joey and Zachary are also on the team so that makes it more fun. This was practice day but Mara did really well. Scored 3 baskets during scrimmage.. I am hoping these are all good things for the games to come :)

Valentine Fun

I got the girls set up with a variety of art supplies and told them we were making Valentines. The boxed ones are classsic and great but there is just something about a homemade valentine that warms your heart. The two of them decided these valentines would be for daddy!! Mara wanted to make a heart guy with heart arms and legs. It was really cute and took Mara lots of time to create. Gracelyn however went with the standard heart for daddy that she stuck Highschool musical stickers all over and colored a bit too! What creative little girls I have.. I wonder what mine will look like?? I'm thinking that it will be from Hallmark sealed in an envelope.. Daddy doesn't let them get as out of hand with the crafts as I do.. Oh well it all cleans up right!!!

Oh and sorry that all my pics seem to be at the kitchen counter lately.. we just haven't gotten out that much!!